Friday, 12 June 2015

Meet The Mummies (Part 1)

This week I decided to change things up a little and recruit the help of some lovely mums to ask them a few questions about their veture into the world of Mummyhood and all things baby!

I have loved spending time reading through all the responses, laughing along and nodding my head in agreement with them all. (Lack of sleep-check! chipped nails-check! mutual appreciation of baby smiles-checccck!)

I ummed and ahhhed at whether to ask the same questions in fear it may become a little repetitive, but I was pleasantly surprised at how diverse some of the responses were; it really goes to show that there are so many styles of parenting, there is no right or wrong- just different!

I've decided to split the blog post into two separate posts and look forward to sharing with you the Q&A's from more lovely mummies very soon!

I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.

Name: SarahMummy to: Eva Did anything in particular help you through labour/ delivery? Trying to remain calm and trusting my body. Stuart was also a massive support and kept me laughing the whole way through, Remembering to take on board my midwives advice and Lucozade Sport, I swear by it!.What are the most rewarding things about being a mum: The morning smiles, the belly laughs!, the cuddles after a long day. Seeing her develop by the week, first it was smiling then rolling over, sitting, crawling and now standing! Seeing her little personality emerge almost daily.What are the tough parts? The lack of sleep, it's hard to adjust to, and no matter how little sleep you've had you just have to get up in the morning with a smile on your face for your baby's sake. There's no calling in sick, no going home early, no quitting when it gets tough. That's mummyhood!What was the most useful product you were bought/gifted: Hands down the Tommee Tippee Perfect prep machine, it was (and still is) a godsend!.What product did you not find yourself using? First time parents go mad, don't they? We were no exception. We rarely used a bath thermometer, only the hair brush and nail scissors were used out of the £20 grooming kit. The gro egg was used once! Have you had to give up anything since becoming a mum? My freedom in a sense, just being able to get up and go out without previous planning, but honestly you really do gain far more than you lose.What have you gained from motherhood: Confidence! Maturity, A better understanding of the world, A better relationship with my mum and lots and lots of patience. The ability to do everything one handedly, and my senses have improved immensely.I can tell a nappy needs changing from the other side of the room and have eyes on the back of my head.If you could give a new mum/mum-to-be a piece of advice what would you tell them? It gets easier. I promise. Keep in mind that a bad phase will always pass. You will have the best of days and other days you'll wonder what you've got yourself into!. Don't compare yourself to other mum's and don't ever compare your baby. Just because your neighbours, cousin's friends baby is walking and talking by nine months it doesn't mean yours should too. Look into things but don't research too much, it should be enjoyable! At times we make things bigger than that they are, for example weaning! I think you should just throw yourself into it . have fun, relish in the chaos and mess of it all!. They don't stay babies forever. Also, you can never buy too many baby wipes.

Name: Gemma:Mummy to: Charlie and Sofia.Describe your birth experience in three words: Quick, intense, life changing.Did anything in particular help you through labour/delivery? My Husband.What are the most rewarding things about being a mum? Knowing they need and love me just as much as I need and love them.What are the tough parts? Second guessing that you are doing things right!What was the most useful product you bought/gifted? The Angel care monitor with sensor mat. I wouldn't have slept without it!What product did you purchase but didn't find yourself using? The moses basket and baby bath were never used.Have you had to give anything up since becoming a mum? The obvious things such as making last minute arrangements, everything needs planning in advance now.What have you gained from motherhood? You don't realise how much you will love your baby until you hold them for the very first time and you learn not to worry or stress about the little things.If you could give any new mum/mum-to-be a piece of advice, what would you tell them? Enjoy every second! even the three am feeds as it all goes by so quickly, and to take plenty of photographs as they are lovely to look through and see the changes that you might not have otherwise noticed.

Name: AliceMummy to: Amelie Rose Describe your birth experience in three words: Calm, empowering and life changing.Did anything in particular help you through labour/delivery? Hypnobirthing/relaxation, it kept me calm and confident and allowed me to stay at home for as long as possible- I had my daughter in my arms 15 minutes after arriving at the midwife unit.What are the most rewarding things about being a mum? Raising a happy, content little girl and the smile when she see's me!What are the tough parts? When she is upset and I can't tell why.What was the most useful product you were bought/gifted? A sleepyhead deluxe cot insert, it was a godsend! It made her feel more comfortable and secure in bed so she slept far better.What product did you purchase but didn't find yourself using? Bumbo seat, she preferred her highchair and wasn't too keen to sit on it.Have you had to give up anything since becoming a mum? Nothing. I was never a huge one for going out as I worked shifts. It's harder to arrange occasional nights out but I quite happily would watch a movie with a takeaway on a Saturday night instead.What have you gained from motherhood? Everything! I feel I have more purpose as I have my daughter and husband relying on me. I find happiness everyday seeing them happy and know i'm doing a good job! If you could give any new mum/mum-to-be a piece of advice, what would you tell them? It's all worth it!. The first few weeks are hard, newborns can't show any appreciation, then one day you lean over their cot to say 'Good Morning' and they recognise you and give you the biggest smile and you know that they love you. They get their own personality. You figure out their likes and dislikes. It gets easier- and is so much fun.

Name: AmberMummy to: HeidiDescribe your birth experience in three words: Early, painful, amazing.Did anything in particular help you through labour/delivery: Not really, I was totally blind sighted by how much it hurt I hadn't anticipated it at all!. I had my mum and my other half in and was crying for my mum to make it stop and left bite marks on my other half's arm!!What are the most rewarding things about being a mum? Every little time she learns something new! Watching her wake up in the morning knowing she will be so happy to see me when she opens her eyes. And when other people are impressed at how clever/friendly she is, or how well she eats!What are the tough parts?Tough parts of being a mum: lack of sleep is the worst thing... I thought all babies slept through after a few months but Heidi is still waking at least 3 times a night at almost 10 months. There's a reason they use sleep deprivation as a form of torture!! Everyone having an opinion on how you parent we have co slept with Heidi since day 1 and got a lot of negative comments about it, I have also had nasty comments because I'm still breastfeeding. Plus the older generation are constantly telling me to leave her to cry which I don't want to do!What was the most useful product you were bought/gifted? We literally spent hundreds and hundreds of pounds on baby paraphernalia and so much of it has gone unused. I remember texting my sister while I was in labour with a list of things I absolutely needed her to get, most of which never got used. We got a £150 all singing all dancing highchair which ended up in the loft, and we are now using the IKEA £13 highchair and it's ideal. It comes apart easily for cleaning but is sturdy and not totally hideous!What product did you purchase but didn't find yourself using?Heidi's cry has always been so loud that we have never even put batteries in her baby monitor!Have you had to give up anything since becoming a mum?my whole lifestyle previous to Heidi was about me, I worked in the city, drank socially 4-5 times a week and spent money on designer handbags and clothes. I got my nails done once a week and he expensive extensions. Now I dress like a slob, constantly chip my nails, haven't been drunk since I found out I was pregnant and would rather spend my money on her!What have you gained from motherhood?Total contentment, patience and eye bagsIf you could give any new mum/mum-to-be a piece of advice, what would you tell them? Do it your own way and be confident in your choices

Name: KirstyMummy to: BlakeDescribe your birth experience in three words: Traumatic, exhausting, worth it!Did anything in particular help you through labour/delivery: Just knowig at the end of it I was going to meet my little boy. Ben did try to help though, bless him.What are the most rewarding things about being a mum? Watching this tiny little human grow, learn and explore.What are the tough parts? Doubting your decisions because' so and so' is doing it differently.What was the most useful product you were bought/gifted? For Ben and I it would definitely be the Angel Care sensor mat and monitor, it meant that in the early days we could actually sleep without worrying. For Blake it would be his jumperoo, he loves a good bounce!What product did you purchase but didn't find yourself using? We bought a lot of thick all in one swaddle blankets that we didn't end up using. We also didn't use the baby carrier as much as I thought but I think that if Blake had have been born in the Spring/Summer it would have got a lot more use.Have you had to give up anything since becoming a mum? Not really, if I have, I haven't noticed!What have you gained from motherhood? A greater sense of purpose, lots of new friends from baby groups and a new direction in life.If you could give any new mum/mum-to-be a piece of advice, what would you tell them? Go to as many baby groups as you can, really make sure of the surestart children's centres if you have any in your area, it's a great way to socialise and meet other new mums. My top tip is if you do end up formula feeding, invest in a flask!We were toying with the idea of getting a Tomeee Tippee prep machine however after research realised a flask would work the same.Wse used to fill it with hot water. ,measured out a few ounces of cool boiled water into Blake's bottles and his powder measured into a separate container- all ready by the bed for when he woke in the night!

Name: Emily (emilycambrey.blogspot.co.uk)Mummy to: EadieDescribe your birth experience in three words: Long, difficult, amazing.Did anything in particular help you through labour/delivery? Nothing helped really until after four and a half days of contractions, I was given an epidural and that helped!!.. What are the most rewarding things about being a mum? The most rewarding thing about being a mum is the smile on her face and the love between us. She melts my heart every day.What are the tough parts? No sleep. I am lucky as Eadie sleeps through and has done since she was eight weeks old but you do get the odd night or early morning. And now the teeth...What was the most useful product you were bought/gifted: Eadie loved her sleeping bag/grow bagWhat product did you purchase but didn't find yourself using? Tomeee Tippee bottles- I didn't even think to buy anti colic bottles until it hit so we went out and got Nuk bottles.Have you had to give up anything since becoming a mum? I wouldn't say 'give up' but I do things a lot less like meals out and seeing my friends- it's a game changer! I feel like I have found myself as a person, I feel like this is what I was put on this earth to do. That's a huge gain for me because I have felt quite lost for years.If you could give a new mum/mum-to-be a piece of advice, what would you tell them? I would say go with the flow, embrace change, ask for help, be honest, know that you are not alone and enjoy every second.

Name: EleanorMummy to: KatieDid anything in particular help you through labour/delivery?The fact that the majority of my labour was all over night meant we had one midwife who stayed with us until the morning when we went to the ward, that was so comforting, I'd of hated to have a shift swap mid flow. I also just had my boyfriend as my birthing partner and he was insanely helpful and supportive. Lastly, the bath, 45 minutes in that bad boy and I went from 4 to 10cm dilated after 17 hours of slow labour.What are the most rewarding things about being a mum?The most rewarding thing about being a mum for me is seeing Katie wake up every morning, no matter how rough a nights sleep she has had, with the biggest grin you've ever seen, watching her grow, develop and turn into a real life little person! What are the tough parts?The long nights, the days where all baby wants is mummy, and you can't get a seconds peace to go to the toilet alone, leaving them when the time comes to go back to work.What was the most useful product you were bought/gifted? There are two products I am totally in love with, 1) The Body Shop Shea butter (something I had in the back of my cupboard), Katie had started to develop a bit of cradle cap so I looked online at solutions and gave the butter a go. A little dollop rubbed on to babies head about an hour before bath time and it banishes any sign of cradle cap, it worked a treat on Katie. 2) Metanium nappy cream 'for everyday use' was a freebie we got from the baby show. As soon as Katies bum starts to look a little red i put some on and it truly clears up nappy rash over night!What product did you purchase but didn't find yourself using? A product I went out to buy pretty instantly and was gifted numerous times is Johnsons baby oil. I have about a dozen bottles, but have never ever used it! When Katie was a newborn we were told to use a little olive oil in the dry patch while her skin was still sensitive, since I have just continued to use this. I moisturise Katie's skin at night with Johnsons bedtime lotion so it rarely becomes dry anyway but when it does, olive oil still does the trick!! Have you had to give up anything since becoming a mum?I gave up partying and drinking quite a while before I fell pregnant, only really going out for special occasions, so I can't really say I have had to give that up. I also haven't personally had to give up my social life, I still go out and see people and do things, it just has to be in the day time, somewhere baby friendly.

What I have given up is.. Money!! I don't know what I used to spend it all on and how I had bits left over at the end of the month, but any spare cash floating about nowadays, im off to the shop to buy Katie a new outfit or toy, let alone the actual necessities! Who knew babies cost SO much money!!

What have you gained from motherhood? I have gained a completely new outlook on life, a new direction and meaning. Iv gained a mini best friend, my little doll to dress up and teach how to be a good, strong and brave girl.

If you could give any new mum/mum-to-be a piece of advice, what would you tell them?

People will always have advice to give you, opinions on what your doing, solutions you couldn't possibly have tried or they swear by. People will judge you, disagree with you, try to overrule you. People will through methods of self soothing at you left right and center. How to 'best' settle your baby, how to feed and put your baby to sleep. I always thought my advice would be, do what feels right, and it's still kind of is. Cuddle your baby. If your baby is screaming, cuddle them, if your baby won't sleep, cuddle them, if your baby doesn't want milk or toys or food, cuddle them. There is so much madness in leaving your baby to cry these day, when all they really want is to know mummy is there, and that everything is going to be OK!